Thrifty Foods, a long-time leader in sourcing and promoting B.C. products, is the first grocery chain to prominently feature the Buy BC brand in its stores on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.

Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, announced the partnership between the Province and the well-known Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland retailer while opening the Reach for B.C. seafood event at Thrifty’s Belmont location. The company’s newest store, it serves the people of Langford, Colwood, Metchosin and Sooke.

“I’m thrilled to have Thrifty Foods on board as our first retail partner promoting the Buy BC brand,” said Popham. “Having the familiar Buy BC logo on shelves and on products lets local consumers trust that the produce, fish, meat and packaged goods they choose have been grown, raised, harvested and made right here in B.C. by British Columbians in our agriculture and seafood sector.”

The Reach for B.C. event, held in front of the brand-new Thrifty Foods Belmont, was an opportunity to profile B.C. seafood and fish, including wild B.C. halibut. The event was held in collaboration with the week-long B.C. Seafood Festival, which kicks off in Comox on Friday, June 7.

More than 15 local producers of B.C. products were on hand providing samples.

“Thrifty Foods values our partnerships with our local suppliers,” said Travis Shaw, local development manager for B.C., Sobey’s. “We feel supporting local is a year-round commitment and involves all areas of the business. It’s our belief that supporting local producers and entrepreneurs contributes to help build strong communities.”

The Buy BC partnership will begin with the Belmont Market store. Over the summer, British Columbians can expect to see the Buy BC brand on grocery shelves in other Thrifty Foods stores.

Through the Buy BC program, the Province is providing over $2 million a year in cost-shared support to farmers, ranchers, fishers and producers who want to help consumers easily identify their product as a B.C. product.

The Buy BC marketing program retains real brand power – popular with B.C. farmers, producers and consumers in the 1990s, but revitalized last year– and makes it easier for British Columbians to explore new and different products from around the province.

Learn More:

Check out Buy BC: https://buybc.gov.bc.ca/

For Thrifty’s Foods locations in B.C., visit: https://www.thriftyfoods.com/find-a-store

More about the B.C. Seafood Festival: https://bcseafoodfestival.com/